Lack of SARS-CoV-2 RNA evidence in the lungs from wild European polecats ( Mustela putorius ) from Spain.

Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in wildlife species is limited. The high prevalences found in mustelid species such as free-ranging American minks ( Neovison vison ) and domestic ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo ) justify the study of this virus in the closely related autochthonous free-ranging European polecat ( Mustela putorius ). We analysed lung samples from 48 roadkilled polecats collected when the human infection reached its highest levels in Spain (2020-2021). We did not detect infections by SARS-CoV-2; however, surveillance in wild carnivores and particularly in mustelids is still warranted, due to their susceptibility to this virus.
(© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2023.)